. >> including a young college student named barack obama. >> in every walk of life, the world thanks you for sharing nelson mandela with us. his struggle was your struggle. his triumph was your triumph. your dignity and your hope found expression in his life. and your freedom, your democracy, is his cherished legacy. >> reporter: regards for mandela crosses racial and political boundaries. the u.s. and cuba have no formal diplomatic relations but here today the president of the u.s. and president raul castro of cuba sat on the same stage with leaders from africa, asia, south america, the middle east. they came not so much to mourn the loss of mandela but to celebrate his life. >> nelson mandela reminds us that it always seems impossible until high school done. south africa shows that it's true. south africa shows we can change, that we can choose a world defined not by our differences but by our common hopes. we will miss him deeply. may god bless the memory of nelson mandela. may god bless the people of south africa. >> reporter: the body of nelson mandela will now be moved to preto